Police arrest 77 over organized prostitution in nightclubs

Beijing police have arrested 77 people on charges of organizing prostitution at three nightclubs in downtown areas.

According to an announcement by the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau on Tuesday, the police are investigating the case and those who have been arrested are likely to be prosecuted after the investigation is concluded.

The announcement has received wide public attention because one of the clubs is located in the Poly Plaza, a landmark building in Chaoyang district that is owned by a State-run conglomerate.

Beijing police conducted raids on the three clubs — Baoli Club in the Poly Plaza, Landai Club and Lihaimingyuan Club — on Dec 23 in an operation that involved 400 police officers and auxiliary personnel. The three clubs were closed down after the raids.

China Poly Group Co has said that Baoli Club, which used the same Chinese charac- ters as the Poly brand, had infringed on its trademark and was not authorized to use the name.

The conglomerate said it was independent of all consequences and liabilities caused by any entity that illegally bears its trademark.

A job advertisement for hostesses on the club’s website said it was looking for women aged 16 to 28, offering daily payments of 1,000 to 1,500 yuan ($140 to $215).

In March 2015, two people were sentenced to life in prison for running a gambling and prostitution ring at Royal No 1 Nightclub in Zhengzhou, capital of Henan province. Another 85 people were also jailed.